A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM), a physician and surgeon who treats the foot, ankle, and related
structures of the leg. The podiatric physician cares for people of all ages, treating a variety of foot problems.
The human foot is a complex structure which acts as a stabilizer, shock absorber and propulsive device. The human foot
is a strong mechanical structure that contains 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments.
The 52 bones in your two feet make up one quarter of all the bones in your body. The soles of the feet contain more
sweat glands and sensory nerve endings per square centimeter than any other part of the body.
Taking 10,000 steps a day that everyone is encouraged to walk would add up to about 115,000 miles in the average
lifetime, that distance is more than four times the circumference of the globe
SOME COMMON PROBLEMS TREATED IN THE OFFICE INCLUDE:
Athlete’s Foot –caused by a fungus that likes warm, dark, and moist areas like the areas between the toes or the bottom
of the feet. This condition can cause itching, burning, peeling, and sometimes a slight odor.
Hammertoes – occurs when the second, third, or fourth toe is crossed, bent in the middle of the toe joint, or just
pointing at an odd angle
Bunions – a crooked big-toe joint that sticks out at the base of the toe, forcing the big toe to turn in. A bunion can be
painful when confined in a shoe
Ingrown Toenails – the corners or sides of the nail digging into the side of the skin
Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spurs – Plantar Fasciitis is a painful condition in which the tissue that connects the foot to the
heel, the fascia becomes inflamed. Heel spurs are pieces of bone that grow at the heel bone base and often develops
after plantar fasciitis develops. The heel spurs themselves are not painful but it is the inflammation caused by the
plantar fasciitis that can hurt
Corns and Calluses – form after repeated rubbing against a bony area of the foot or against a shoe. Corns appear on the
tops, sides, or even between your toes. Calluses usually form on the bottom of the foot under the heels or balls, and
sides of the toes
Gout – is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in joint tissues and fluid. One of the first places for this build-
up to occur is in the big toe joint. The toe will get warm, red, and swollen and will be painful to even the slightest touch
Toenail Fungus – gives nails an unattractive, deformed appearance. It can alter the nails color and spread to adjoining
toenails or even fingernails
REASONS TO TREAT:
It is estimated that 75% of Americans will experience foot problems at one time or another in their lives. Foot ailments
can become your first sign of more serious medical problems. Your feet mirror your general health, so conditions like
arthritis, diabetes, nerve and circulatory disorders can show their symptoms in your feet
With proper detection, intervention, and care, most foot and ankle problems can be lessened or prevented.
